ITV Racing Tips for Saturday 29th July from Ascot and York

1:50 Ascot

The first live race on ITV is the Princess Margaret Stakes, a Group 3 for the fillies over 6f.

I like SYMBOLOGY (11/2) in this for the Clive Cox stable. Clive is having a great year with his 2 year-olds and he’s in decent form at the moment which is an encouraging combination. His 2 year-olds always improve for their first outing so for Symbology to win impressively on debut is really promising. She looked a proper speedy 2 year-old who will probably be seen to best effect during this campaign. I don’t think much of the Albany form and she can improve past her rivals on just her second career start.

 

2:05 York

The first race from a York is the famous Jumps Jockeys Nunthorpe Stakes over 5f.

It’s EY UP ITS MAGGIE (8/1) EW for me in this. Firstly, the booking of Paul Townend catches the eyes for obvious reasons and it gives the impression she may well have been laid out for this. She’s been poor on her last two runs but has dropped 2lb as a result. She enjoys cut in the ground and won on soft at Doncaster earlier in the season off just 1lb lower. I think she’ll go well at a track she has a fine record at.

 

2:25 Ascot

The 2:25 at Ascot is another Group 3 for fillies, this time the Valiant Stakes over the round mile.

It’s AMEYNAH (7/2) for me here. We haven’t seen her since finishing sixth in last years 2000 Guineas so she’s obviously had her issues. However, she was a good winner prior to that at Newmarket and her sixth can be marked up in the Guineas as she was on the wrong side of the track. I find it really encouraging that the early market vibes are positive so connections must be hopeful she retains her ability and will be ready to go on her appearance. The Roger Varian stable is in decent nick and I’d chance her in a race where Random Harvest should be taken on as fav.

 

2:40 York 

The 2:40 race from York is the Dash Handicap, a competitive sprint affair over 6 furlongs.

It’s MUSIC SOCIETY (10/1) EW for me in this. A really consistent sort this season who’s ran some crackers in defeat this season and certainly deserves to get his head in front soon. He was a good second last time out over 6f at Ayr running another great race in defeat. He stays off the same mark for this and he has a lovely racing weight of 8’9 for this.

 

3:00 Ascot

The 3:00 is a traditional Ascot sprint with plenty of familiar names. It is the International Stakes, a heritage handicap over 7f.

It’s FRESH (9/1) for me here. He is well suited to this course and distance as he’s proven on many occasion. He looked to be returning to the strong handicap level of form we expect when finishing a good 5th in the Wokingham Stakes last time out at Royal Ascot. He remains off the same mark and he has won here at Ascot off higher marks in the past. He’s ground versatile and he’s drawn near favourite Biggles which I see as a positive.

 

3:15 York

The final race from York is 3:15 and it is the York Stakes, a Group 2 contest over the extended 1m2f trip.

My Prospero will be tough to beat but at the prices I’d chance CHECKANDCHALLENGE (14/1) who is a horse full of talent and when he puts his best foot forward, he has the potentially to take a race of this nature. He was a decent 3 year-old last season and managed a win at Group 3 level. This isn’t the strongest of Group 2’s and the first time visor is an interesting move from connections. He was a never nearer 7th in the Wolferton Stakes last time out and arguably would have been closer with a better ride. He’s overpriced.

 

3:40 Ascot

Arguably the race of the year comes up at 3:40, a fascinating renewal of the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes over 1m4f.

I think this will turn into a real test and I’m going to take a chance on WESTOVER (12/1) EW. I see stall 10 as a positive here as outside draws are the place to be ok the round course here and he will be able to make his challenge out wide in the home straight and shouldn’t have to wait for a run. The ground drying out will aid his cause and good to soft will be fine. Two starts ago, he finished a staying on 2nd behind Emily Upjohn but that was a tactical race and speed won it in my opinion. This will be a lot different and Westover’s potent combination of speed and stamina will be hugely beneficial. He was a good winner in France last time out, which will have done him the world of confidence. The Irish Derby winner of the last season is the forgotten horse in this race and he’s good each-way value.

 

Free Bets for King George Day at Ascot

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